Improvement in devices for attaching bells to shafts



.A. A. BEVIN. Device for Attaching Bells tn Shafts.

Pa tent'ed Feb. 23,1875.

THE GRAPHlC.CJ.PHOTO.-LITH.391&4! PARK PLAGE,N-Y.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()rrron ABNER A. BEVIN, OF EAST HAMPTON, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE BEVlN BROTHERS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN DEVlCES FOR ATTACHING BELLS TO SHAFTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 160,146, dated February 23, 1875; application filed February 5, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ABNER A. BEVIN, of East Hampton, in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Attaching Bells to Shafts, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to sleigh-bells which are connected with or attached to the sleighshafts by means of a metallic bell-supportin g strap.

Before proceeding upon a description of the nature and object of my invention, I will premise by stating that it has heretofore been customary to construct the top or shoulder of the sleigh-bell with two separate and independent openings, through each of which is passed one of the arms of a staple for connecting the bell, clapper, and supporting-strap together, as in the Letters Patent dated July 22, A. D. 1856, No. 15,366, granted to Abner G. Bevin.

My invention has for its object to simplify and cheapen such class of devices, and render them more effective in operating; and to this end my invention consists of a clapper-supporting bolt, constructed of a single piece of metal to form an eye in which the upper end of the clapper is held, and two members'or arms, which are brought together and passed through a single opening or passage in the top or canon or car of the bell, and through a single opening formed in a depression constructed in the supporting strap, the two members or arms of the clapper, supportingbolt, or staple being then separated, after insertion through the strap, and bent from each other, or in an outwardly direction, and pressed down into the depression of the strap, so as to be flush with the horizontal ends or ears of the latter, which are each provided with an opening or openings for the passage of a screw or nail into the sleigh-shaft.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figures 1 and 4 represent perspective views of the bell, supporting-strap, and connecting bolt or staple. represent longitudinal vertical sections of the invention applied to the shaft of the sleigh; and Figs. 3 and 6 represent detached views of Figs. 2 and 5- the bell, the clapper, bolt or staple, and supporting-strap.

Referring to the drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, the letter A represents the bell, which is of the usual or ordinary construction, and may be provided with a canon or car, a, on its top or shoulder for retaining the hell out of contact with the supporting medium, and thereby preventing the deadening of the sound, or

impeding the vibration of the bell, and securing a finer and more harmonious tone. The ear or canon of the bell, when it is constructed with the same, is provided with a single opening or passage, 1), through which the clapper or tongue and supporting bolt or staple B are passed, which latter is constructed of a single piece of metal, bent or doubled to form at its lower end an eye, 0, for receiving and holding the clapper or tongue, and two members or arms, 61 d, at its upper end, which are brought together and passed through the single opening or passage 1) in the top or car of the bell, and then through an opening, 0, formed in the transverse depressionf, constructed 'in the metallic bell-supporting strap or loop C. The two members or arms of the clapper-supporting bolt or staple, after having been passed through the central opening in the top or car of the bell, and through the supporting-strap, are separated from each other and bent in an outward direction down into the depression constructed in the supporting-strap, so as to be flush with the horizontal ends or ears 9 g of the same, whereby the strap carrying the bells may be conveniently applied to the sleigh-shafts without the projecting portion of the clapper-retaining bolt interfering with the same, each end of the supporting-strap being provided with an opening, t, for the passage of a screw into the sleigh-shaft for confining the strap in place.

By constructing the clappenretaining bolt in the manner described and illustrated, a bell possessing the usual central opening and canon or ear can be employed, and, consequently, the bell has a much finer tone, the device is cheaper of production, more simple, and can be placed in position with perfect ease.

It will, of course, be apparent that a series of the bells can be arranged upon a single supporting-strap, which is provided with a corresponding number of depressions and openings for the passage and retention of the clapper-supporting bolt.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination, substantially as herein shown and described, of the bell having a single central opening, the clapper-retaining bolt, constructed with the eye and two members, which are passed through the single opening in the top of the bell, and the bellsupporting strap, having an opening in its depression for the passage of the clapper-retaining bolt, for the purpose set forth. s

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand.

ABNER A. BEVIN. Witnesses:

WM. H. BEVIN, GHAUNOEY BEVIN. 

